Conveyor



Feb. 23, 1960 Filed April 4, 1956 J. s. ROBBINS 2,925,903

CONVEYOR 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR James 5. Robb/h:

BY qcmafi ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1960 Filed April 4, 1956 J. S. ROBBINS CONVEYOR 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 James 5 Robb/)1:

ATTORNEY J. S. ROBBINS Feb. 23, 1960 CONVEYOR 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 4, 1956 INVENTOR James .5. Robb/ 13 BY QM mam;-

ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1960 J. 5. ROBBINS CONVEYOR Filed April 4, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENTOR James S Robb/n3 ATTORNEY 1960 J. 5. ROBBINS 2,925,903

CONVEYOR Filed April 4, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENT OR ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1960 J. s. ROBBINS 2,925,903

CONVEYOR Filed April 4, 1956 '7 Sheets-Sheet e F .22 mm 7 James .5. Robbins ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1960 Filed April 4, 1956 J. S. ROBBINS CONVEYOR 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENT OR James 5. Robb/17$ ATTORNEY i in the past.

. nectors.

United States Pate t This invention relates toan improvement in conveyors wherein it is'desired' to provide a high-speed, low cost conveyor capable of transporting material over virtually any length or distance.

Various types of belt conveyors have been produced Most such conveyors are subject to certain difliculties. In the first place, the belts which support the weight normally travel over rollers or other similar supports which creates considerable friction unless the supports are rotating with the conveyor. In the case the supports are driven, the cost of operating these rotatablesupports is extreme over extended distances. Secondly, the angle to which a belt conveyor may be tilted to carry loose material is also normally limited as the loose material has a tendency to slide rearwardly on i the conveyor as it travels upwardly on a steep slope, the material thereby falling from the sides of the conveyor. Furthermore, due to' the friction normally experienced with elongated belt conveyors, it has been normally impractical to produce such conveyors at low cost. it is an object of the present invention to avoid these previous difliculties.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a belt conveyor which is supported between a pair of generally parallel cables. Springs of unusual design connect the cable to the sides of the belt at frequent intervals. These spring connectors are capable of flexing so that the distance-between the cables and the belt may vary. The cables travel over a series of spaced sheaves and the cable normally will flex to some extent causing a sag in the cables between the spaced sheaves. The spring connectors connecting the cables to the belt are so arranged that the belt may travel along a substantially straight line of movement due to the ability of the spring connectors to expand and contract. i

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the supporting cables are trained in torsion by the multiple connectors connecting each cable with the belt. The connectors are attached to the cable in a manner to extend generally radially therefrom. As the weight of the conveyor and its contents tends to normally hold the belt edges directly beneath the cables, the cables are held from twisting by the longitudinally spaced con- At the ends of the conveyor flights, the con nectors twist th'ecable about one hundred eighty degrees about its axis so that the connectors extend upwardly,

fro'nithe cables during ;.the return flight. vA feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a belt conveyor which is supported by spaced spring members connected to a pair of spaced cables. The spring connectors are so constructed that the points 7 of attachment between the spring connectors and the belt are usually directly below the cables. As a result, the weight of the material upon the belt holds the cables in the grooves. a

An added feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a belt conveyor, the sides of which are con- 2. nected to supporting cables by spring connectors which are so shaped that the cables can travel over spaced grooved sheaves without undue wear upon the spring connectors. The connectors are so shaped that the portion of the spring connectors connected to the cable always tend to extend upwardly or laterally from they cables so that the lower portions of the cables may ride in groove sheaves positively preventing contact between the connectors and the sheaves.

A further feature of'the present invention resides'in the provision of a conveyor which may, if desired, extend upwardly at a considerable angle to the horizontal. The cables which support the opposite edges of the belt may be guided nearer together or farther apart by the supporting sheaves. When the supports are moved close together, the belt has a tendency to flex toward a trough shaped form and when the cables are moved still closer together, the edges of the belt tend to move toward a tubular form to actually enclose the major portion of the contents of the conveyor. Accordingly, if desired, the contents of the conveyor may be conveyed by what amounts to substantially a hollow tubular belt so that the contents of the conveyor cannotreadily fall from the conveyor even when the material is carried upwardly at a considerable angle to the horizontal.

An added feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a conveyor which can be constructed at a relatively low cost. The belt is supported by spaced cables which travel over spaced sheaves. As the conveyor is driven by the cables, there is: no tension on the conveyor belt. As a result, there is a minimum of friction involved in the movement or the conveyor. As a result, the power required to drive the conveyor may be maintained at a minimum and the cost of the supporting structure is also but a fraction of the cost involved in supporting belt conveyors of conventional types. The

loadsupported by the belt may also bev carried more smoothly and evenly than in constructions where the belt a must travel over spaced rollers or similar supports. Each t me the belt passes over a supporting roller, the mate rial on the belt tending to cause a sagging of the center of the belt exerts a considerable force through the belt upon theroller thereby increasing the power required to move the belt as well as the cost of supporting the belt; In the present construction, the belt may assume a natural "curved or'trough shaped 'form if desired and there are. no rollers at spaced intervals to interfere with the cross sectional shape of'the belt, thereby greatly simplifying the driving of the conveyor.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that a conveyor of virtually any desired length may be employed, thereby making it possible to provide a conveyor which may move material cross country over very long distances if desired. With the present arrangement, cable supports may be suspended from spaced towers between which supporting cables or similar means are provided. The supporting cables naturally tend to -,sag a considerable amount betweentowers if the space speed which may be obtained by my conveyor.

between towers is considerable. Hangers such as those employed on suspension bridges and the like may be used the spaced sheaves on a substantially even springs connecting the cable to the belt will flex sufiiciently so that the belt may travel along a substantially straight line.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the In actual practice, it has been found possible and practical to convey material at speeds which are greatly in excess 'of the speed attained by any other belt conveyor with which I am familiar. This is due to the fact that the supporting cables may move readily and with little fricaazssos tion over spaced supporting sheaves and the spring connectors between the cables .'.nd the belt act to cushion the belt support. The load upon the conveyor belt accordingly rides smoothly and with little interference and the power for propelling the conveyor may be applied wherever required .or desired.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a conveyor which may comprise a twoway conveyor if desired. Due to the flexibility of the cables, the belts, and the connecting springs, it is possible to provide a conveyor capable of transporting material in opposite directions, the two parts of the conveyor moving in opposite directions being supported either in superimposed relation or in side-by-side relation.) The connecting springs connecting the cables and edges of the belt function equally well in either direction of travel.

An added feature of the present invention resides in the provision that the motivating force of the conveyor may be at the inlet end of the conveyor if it is so desired. Due to the fact that the belt is supported by endless cables, the sheaves which support the cables and which act to drive the cables may be located at either end of the conveyor or intermediate the ends thereof as is preferred. Still another feature of the present'invention resides in the fact that if desired the belt need not contact any supporting rollers even out at the ends of the conveyor. The cables which support the side edges of the conveyor may travel over sheaves of considerable diameter and the springs connecting the cables with the belt merely guide the belt in a generally semi-circular path at each end of the conveyor without contacting any roller or drum if it is preferred. 2

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claim.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a conveyor, showing the principle of construction of the conveyor.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the conveyor illustr-ated in Figure 1.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15, the position of the section being indicated by the line 16-16 of Figure 14. I

Figure 17 is across sectional view corresponding to Figure 15 but showing the return portion of the belt.

Figure 18 is a view corresponding to Figure 16 and showing the manner in-which the belt may sway later-- ally relative to the cables as the conveyor is guided about a corner. 2

Figure 19 is a side elevational view showing a conveyor support for a cross country conveyor.

Figure 20 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the con-- struction shown in Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a cross sectional view showing diagrammatically the manner in which the supporting springs may flex when the distance between the edges of the conveyor belt and the supporting cables increases.

Figure 22 is a sectional view on the line 2222 of Figure 20showing 'the manner in which tliesprings may flex together during other portions of the travel of the conveyor.

Figure 23 is a cross sectional View through the entire conveyor system illustrated in Figure 19.

Figure 24 is a view somewhat similar to Figure l but showing the manner in which the conveyormay be driven from the inlet end thereof.

Figure 25 is a sectional view through the end of the conveyor support shown in Figure 24, showing the man ner in which the conveyor may reverse directions without contacting a supporting roller or drum.

Figure 26 is an elevation view of a. modified form of V resilient connector for connecting the cables to the belt.

InFigur es 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, a conveyor sys tem is illustr'ated which demonstrates certain of the principles of my invention. The conveyor illustrated in these figures is substantially shorter than might be considered commonplace but does show a practical system which Figure 3 is an end view of the conveyor illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 in enlarged form.

Figure 4 is a detail view showing onemanner in which the supporting springs may be attached to the conveyor belt.

Figure'S is a sectional view through a portion of the belt showing the fastening means illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view through a modified form of pivotal connectionbetween the springs and the edges of the belt.

Figure 7 is a sectional view through the end of the conveyor showing a drum over which the belt may pass to change the direction thereof.

Figure 8 is a sectional view through the conveyor adjacent one of the supporting towers for the conveyor.

Figure 9 is a sectional view through one of the cables showing the manner in which the springs may be attached thereto. a

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing a modified form of connection between the cable and the springs.

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view through the cable showing another modified form of'connection between the cable and the springs.

Figure 12 is a detail .view of a portion of a cable core showing another modified manner in which the springs may be connected to the cable.

Figure 13 is an elevation view of one; of the springs used in connecting the cables to the belt.

Figure 14 is a plan view showing diagrammatically the manner in which the conveyor may be curved, the figure accentuating the movement of the conveyor belt relative to the supporting cables. 7 Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view through the conveyor belt, the position of the section being indicated by the line 1515 of Figure 14..

has beenactually used. In general, the conveyor A is designed to transmit material placed upon the conveyor at the lower end thereof into a storage hopper or bin 10 at the upper end of the conveyor. The conveyor bin 10 is supported by a generali-rectangular platform 11 pro vided at its upper extremity with a hood 12 providing a means of guiding the material conveyed by the conveyor into the hopper or bin 10. r

The conveyor .A includes an endless belt 13 which in the particular construction illustrated extends between two parallel drums or pulleys 14 and 15. As both of these drums or pulleys are substantially identical, only one is illustrated in detail, this being illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings. The pulley 15 is mounted upon a base 161 while the pulley 1-4 is mounted on the top of the platform or frame 11. V

The pulley support is shown as including a base member 17 of any suitable type or design having a pair of upright bearing supporting members 19 and 26 near opposite ends thereof. The sectionshown in Figure 7 is not in a common plane, the section line bending at the point of connection between the center portion of the shaft and the two side portions thereof. I

The upright supports 19 and 20 act to support shaft members 21 and 22 which may be fixed relative to the supports. The inner ends of the shafts 21 and22 are slotted as is indicated at 23 and 24 respectively. A central shaft portionjZS extends between the upper and lower sides of the slotted shaft ends 23 and 24 and bolts or other fastening means indicated at 26 and 27support the central shaft portion 25. The central shaft portions of the two drums114 and 15 at opposite ends of the conveyor are, usually parallel in the'event the conveyor is relatively short in length. V w a The central shaft 25 s provided with a central enlarged diameter portion 29 which acts to support axially spaced bearings 30 and 31. The spacing sleeve 32 extends between the inner races of the bearings30 and 31 to V in Figure 13 of the drawings;

nection with, the cable.

aaaaeos space these bearings, and endcaps 33 encircling the shaft portion '25 acttohold the bearings '30 and 31V inproper location. The drum '14 or is provided with an integralhub 34 which encircles the bearings '30 and 3 1 and is supported thereby. Thus, the drum or pulley 14 or 15 is supported for rotation about the shaft 25.

Sheaves '35 and 36 are mounted upon the shafts 21 and 22 for rotation with respect thereto. These sheaves I 35and '3 6are, provided wtih hubs 37 and 39 respe'etivel'y which enclose bearings 40 and 41 interposed between the sheave hubs and theshaftS 21 and 22. As a result,

the sheaves and 36 may rotate freely. The purpose of the particular arrangement illustrated isto permit the axis of the drum 15 to be parallel to the ext nt the opposite drum while, at the same time, permitting the axes of the sheaves 35 and 36 to be angulaily related. This arrangement is provided so that the cables may be 7 outwardly of the belt 13. at the ends of the conveyor but are reversed in position and are preferably formed of spring wire or similar material.

The general form of the springs 44and 45 is illustrated v Each spring, such as 45', is provided with an'end 46 designed for pivotal" connection to an edge of the endless belt 153. The springs 45 are generally J-sha'ped in form including a shank 47 connected by a point of bend 49 to a portion 50- which is arranged at an acute angle to the portion 47. A bend 51 connects the spring portion 5!) to an end portion 52 which extends at substantially right angles to the portion 50. The angularly turned end 59 is provided with an attachment 53 which forms a means of connecting "each spring to a corresponding cable 42 or 43.

in various ways, certain of which are illustrated in Figures 9 through 12 of the drawings. Figure 9 of the drawings shows a cable such as 45 having a series of angularly spaced outer strands 54 which are wound spirally about a core 55. The end 52 of the spring connector is provided with a generall'y cylindrical or ringshaped end 56 which encircles the core 55 and is held in place by the outer strands 54 of the cable. In other words, in forming this type of connection, the cable is spread apart so that a portion of the core is exposed, the ring-shaped portion 56 is placed to encircle the core, andthe outer strands of the cable are released so as to provide. a means. of. connecting the cable to the spring. which does not materially increase the outer diameter of the cable and which does not provide a visible projection on the outer surface of the cable.

Another type of connection is illustrated in Figure l0 of the drawings. In this type of constructiomthe spring 45 is provided with an end 57 having projections 59 and 68 extending in opposite directions from the shank. These projections 59 anddi) are designed to extend between the outer strands 61' of the cable and the core 62 thereof so as to firmly hold the springs in place. It should be understood that the. springs are arranged so as to project from the cable in the same. direction so as not to place the cable under torsional stress when the conveyor is-in use.

Figure 11 illustrates another modified form of con- In this form of construction, the spring'45 is provided with an encircling band 63 at its, extremity which encircles the cable such as '45 and which is. either press fit to'tightly encircle the same, or is. welded or'otherwise secured thereto. This construction has'thedisadvantage over thepreviously described constructions that the -ring' 63 engages in the sheave grooves and'rfonns a projection or pump as the ring 63 passesover e'ach sheave. p 7

Figure '12 illustrates still another form of anchor between the spring such as 45 and the aste. in this form of construction, the cable is provided with a core 64 which is similar in form to a spiral "spring. 7 The endof each of the springs 45 to. be connected to the cable is rovided with a central anchoring member 67 which is of proper outer diameter to fit within theispring 64. The anchoring member 67 is inserted into, the spring by spreading apart the spring convol'utionsa'nd inserting the anchoring member 67 to extend longitudinally of the core. When the springs 45 are attached to the core 67 the outer strands 69 of the cab le'are wound about the core in the usual manner. i

The springs such as 45' are attached to the side edges of, the endless belt 13 by one of a. plurality of ways, two of which are illustratedin Figures '4 through 6 of the drawings. 'In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of th'e drawings, staple like elements 69 which are U-sha'ped in form and which are similar to those employed for leasing the ends of belts together are attached to the belt edge, these U-shaped or staple like members having inturned extremities 70 which anchor the same securely to the belt. In the particular arrange ment illustrated, the staples '69 are arranged in spaced pairs to provide a spacing between the pairs. The looped end 46 of the spring 4-5 is placed between the pairs of staples 69, and a pivot member such as the cotter key 72 is inserted through the ends ofv the staples and through the looped end 46 of the s'pring 45 to h-ingedly connect these two elements. p

In Figure 5 of the drawings, a modified form of anchoring means. is illustrated. In this form of construction, the side edges 73 of the belt 13 are folded upon themselves and the edges are secured by stitching 74 or by other suitable means. A pivot cable 75 is enclosed in the folded edge 76 of the belt. The looped end 4-6 of the spring element 45 is looped about the pivot cable 75 so that each spring is connected to the pivot cable extending longitudinally of the edges of the belt.

The springs 44 and 45 are attached to the cable so as to extend from the upper surface of the cable regardless of whether the belt is inverted or not.' Whether or not the belt 13 is' flat during the operation of the apparatus depends upon the spacing between the supporting cables :42 and l3.v If the cables 42 and 43 are spaced relatively close together, the body of the belt bellies downwardly due to the Weight of the material on the belt so that the belt assumes a trough shape. If the upper edges of the belt are brought close enough together, the belt may form a substantially tubular form to practically enclose the materialbeing carried. Thus the shape of the belt may be regulated by the position of the supporting sheaves which guide the endless cables 42 and 43 and provide a means of supporting virtually any type of loose material so that the material cannot readily fall from the conveyor eventhough portions of the conveyor may be relatively steep.

Figures 1" and 2 of the drawings indicate cable supporting frames 77 and 79 which act to support cable guiding sheaves for the upper and lower flights of the conveyor.

' type of construction illustrated, are generally l t-shaped may be considerably varied. In the particular arrange These supporting frames, in the particular is means inent illustrated, the sheaves 83 are shown as mounted upon stub shafts 86 directly connected to the framework while the sheaves 85 are mounted upon shafts 87 which project outwardly in opposite directions from a suitable supporting bracket 89 located at the center of the V-shaped support 84.

The manner in which the conveyor A is driven may be varied to some extent. However, in the particular directly below the upper flight illustrated and is travelling about the same curve, the belt will follow a somewhat similar path but in' a reverse direction. The path of the lower flight of 'the conveyor is diagrammatically illustrated in dottedfoutline in Figure 14 of the drawings, this dotted outline path being indicated by the numeral 106. As the lower flight of the conveyor passes a pair of sheaves, the cables 42 and 43 tend to change direcarrangement illustrated, motors 90 and 9,1 are connected through suitable speed reducing 'units 92 and 93 to operate driveb'elts 9,4 and 95 respectively which connect the reduction unit to a corresponding pulley such as 96 rotatable with the sheaves 35 and 36 over which the endless cables 42 and 43 extend. It is possible to provide the variation in the speed of rotation of these sheaves 1 in the event there is a curve in the conveyor or in the event one of the cables is slightly longer than the other. In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the motors for driving the conveyor are mounted upon the top of the framework 11. However, as will be later described, it is also possible to drive the conveyor from the opposite end when preferable.

Figures 14 through 18 of the drawings, a're designed to indicate diagrammatically the manner in which the conveyor belt may sway to someextcnt without disadvantageous results in the event the coursefof the conveyor is curved to some extent. An abrupt curve on a horizontal plane is, of course, not recommended nor particularly practical. .However, the conveyor can be curved if the radius of curvature is suflicientl y long and in such an event the belt has a tendency to follow the path diagrammatically illustrated in Figure'l4f of the drawings. For the purpose of illustration, the "movement is accentuated in this figure. I I i If the conveyor belt 13 is travelling in the direction of the arrow 97 in Figure 14 of the drawings and it is desired to curve the path of the conveyor, cable sup porting sheaves 99 are provided withtheir axes tilted somewhat with respect to a horizontal plane so that the supporting cables 42 and 43 may be angularly directed Without placing a strain upon the cables which tends to pull from the sheave grooves. A second set of sheaves 1007is shown at some distance from the sheaves 99 and a third set of sheaves 101 are located at a later point in the curve. At the end of the curve, and where the conveyor is to bend in" the opposite direction, the supporting sheaves are tilted in the opposite direction.

Figure 14 shows diagrammatically the path which the conveyor belt tends to take as it travels about the curve. As the belt moves past the first set of sheaves 99, it tends to continue in a straight path until the increased pull upon the supporting springs tends to return the belt to a position beneath the cables. The outward; loop indicated by the numeral 102 indicates the straight travel of the belt past the first pulleys 99. As the supportingsprings 44 and 45 tend to correct the position of thebelt, they may produce an over-correction which causes the belt to sway to some extent to the opposite side of the supporting cables as is indicated by the curve designated by the numeral 103. The belt 13 then tends to return 'to a position directly below the cables, and I prefer to provide the next pair of guide sheaves 100 at this particular I point.

As the cables 42 and 43 travel over the sheaves 101 they are again changed in direction while the belt 13 tends tion while the loaded belt tends to continue to travel in a straight path. When the conveyor moves laterally to a certain extent, the supporting springs 44 and tend to draw. the belt back to a position beneath the cables, and in doing so oftentimes creates an over-travelling efiect in the manner previously described. Figure 17 illustrates the lower conveyor when the conveyor belt is directly beneath the cables, the section being taken at a point similar-to section 15-15. Figure 18 of the drawings shows the conveyor belt at a point intermediate the supporting sheaves and shows the belt laterally offset from a point directly beneaththe supporting cable.

Figure 19 of the drawings shows another typical manner in which the conveyor may be supported while travelling cross-country. Inv Figure 19 a pair of supporting towers 107 are illustrated, these towers being two in a series of similar spaced towers. A cable 109 is suspended between the towers 107, the center portion of the cable 109 sagging beneath the points of attachment with the towers 107 in a manner somewhat similar to the cables supporting a suspension bridge. With reference to Figures l9 and 20 of the drawings, it will be noted that pairs of cable supporting sheaves 110 are supported in longitudinally spaced alignment by suitable hangers 111 connected at their upper extremities to the supporting cables 109. The hangers 111 are provided at their lower-ends with sheave supports which vary depending upon whether the sheaves are supporting the forward flight of the conveyor or the return flight thereof. Sheave supports such as 112 are connectedto the lower ends of the supporting hangers 111 suspended from one of the cables 109. The hangers 112 are shown as being of an inverted V-shape having diverging arms 13 and 14 terminating in inwardly converging pivots 115 and 116 which support. sheaves to move in a straight path thus again causing the side deflection indicated by the numeral 104 and the opposite direction indicated by the numeral 105. Asthe belt returns to a position directly below the cables, the third set of guide sheaves 101 may be provided to again change the direction of the supporting cables. While Figure 14 is exaggerated in scale, it indicates the man ner in which the guide sheaves are preferably located to guide the conveyor in a horizontal curve.

Considering that the return flight of the conveyor is 117 and 119. These sheaves 117 and 119 are designed to support the cables 42 and 43 which are connected by the springs 44 and 45 to the opposite edges of the conveyor belt 13.

On the opposite flight of the conveyor belt, the hangers 111 are provided at their lower ends with sheave supports 120 which may be of T-shaped form including a cross member 122 having opposed upwardly inclined sheave supports or pivots 123 at opposite ends thereof. The sheaves are indicated by the numerals 124 and 125 and are designed to support theccables .42 and 43 which are connected by the springs 44 and 45 to opposite sides 55- of the conveyor belt 13. Y

As is indicated in Figure 23 of the drawings, the supporting cables 109 may be supported on opposite sides of the towers 107 so that the return flight of the conveyor may be on one side of the tower and the forward flight of the conveyor may be on the opposite side thereof. Thus at the end of the conveyor, after the belt has'been inverted, the two flights of the conveyor may be guided along diverging paths until they are in side-byside relation in the manner illustrated.

Figures 21 and 22 illustrate diagrammatically the manner in which the springs may operate so that the 126 of the conveyor is at this inlet end.

the sides of the conveyor belt are so formed and shaped that they may expand to some extent as the cable elevat s and may compress together as the'cable sags. While the figures may well be exaggerated, they do operate substantially in the particular manner described so that the material on the conveyor belt maytravel in a straight path. Obviously the degree of sag between the cables depends upon the tightness of the cables and also upon '.the distance between the supportingsheaves.

. Figure 24 of the drawings is virtually identical with the construction described in Figure 1 of the drawings with the exception of the fact that the conveyor belt 13 illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings is driven from a drive pulley such as which is at what would normally be termed the intake end of the conveyor. in other words, considering that the upper flight of the conveyor belt 13 shown in Figure 24 is carrying a load, and the lower flight is returning empty, the motor 127 which is connected to the drive pulley or drive member In other words, the load carrying flight of the conveyor is being pushed toward the outlet end of the conveyor rather than pulled toward it. This arrangement is believed unique with a conveyor of this construction. As the conveyor is otherwise similar to that shown in Figure 1, no further planation is believed necessary.

In the foregoing description, the conveyor hasbeen described as being reversed by passing about a drumsuch as the drum shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. in certain installations, it is desirable to avoid the friction necessary to reverse the direction of the belt 13 by contact with the drum .15. It is actually possible to reverse the direction of the conveyor without actually contacting the conveyor belt 13. This is accomplished in the man not illustrated diagrammatically in Figure of the drawings, this figure comprising a section taken longitudinally of the conveyor and between a pair of supporting sheaves.

Two spaced sheaves 129 are mounted upon a drive shaft such as 13%, the member 13% comprising either a single shaft or a pair of separately driven shafts. The latter is usually preferable. The sheaves 1129 act to support the cables 42 and 43, the sheave 12.9 illustrated being used to support the cable 42. The belt 113 is supported by the springs 44- and between the cables 42 and 43 as has been previously described. 7

As the cables 42 and 43 pass about the sheaves 129 at the end of the conveyor, the springs 45 and 44 carry the belt 13 in substantially an arcuate path between the sheaves. Normally the arcuate path followed by the belt 13 is not coaxial with the axes of the sheaves E29.

permit a material degree of flexibility between the conveyor and its supporting cables andpermit the belt to travel along a relatively smooth path. By moving the supporting cables close together, the width of the conveyor can be reduced and the belt will actually enclose a substantial portion of the. belt content. As a result, loose material may be carried over considerable periods and up steep inclines without danger of thematerial falling from the sides of the conveyor belt. In view of the material decrease in the frictional resistance to the movement of the conveyor, the conveyor may be moved over extremely long distances without difliculty. Furthermore, the cost of operating the conveyor is extremely small as compared to the cost of operation of the usual belt conveyor. Due to the ease with which the conveyor may be supported, the conveyor may be carried along suspended cables which only require towers at consider- This is due to the fact that as the conveyor belt moves toward the end of the conveyor, it sags substantially be-- low the supporting cables and the natural tendency for the belt to continue in a straight line causes the belt to follow an arcuate path somewhat beyond the arcuation of the supporting sheave. In order to prevent any danger of injury to the belt, it desirable that the sheaves 129 be of substantial diameter so that the belt will not buckle or kink as it reverses direction.

In the present invention a conveyor has beendescribed which is capable of many uses. Actual tests indicate that material can be moved at a considerably higher speed than with conveyors of the usual construction due to the fact that the belt does not need to ride over rollers or other similar supporting means which add very greatly to the frictional resistance to operation. The springs ably spaced points. This permits the conveyor to be readily used over irregular terrain and requires no level path of operation.

.While the connectors 44 and 45 have been described as generally U-shaped, or C-shaped in form, this shape may be varied to suit diflerent conditions. In Figure 26 i show'a slightly different form of construction in which the spring 132 has one end extending upwardly at a substantial angle from vertical, as indicated at 133, then curving to extend over the cable as at 135 and to extending downwardly on the opposite side thereof, terminating approximately below the cable at its connection 136 with the belt 13. material thereon flexes the connector, the portion of the connector between the upwardly inclined portion and the cable overlying portion tends to decrease in radius, providing a tendency for the cable to twist slightly in a clock-. wise direction as viewed in Figure 26. This differs from the action of a connector such as 45, in that the flexing of this spring due to weight tends to twist the cable 43 about its axis in a counter-clockwise direction.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my conveyor, and while i have endeavored the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that this is only illustrative of a means of carrying out my invention, and that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claim without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

A conveyor including a pair of endless flexible cables, sheaves supporting said cables at the ends of the'conveyor, intermediate sheaves supporting the intermediate portion of said cables, a flexible belt and spaced resilient connecting means connecting each cable to a corresponding belt edge, said connecting means holding said belt suspended beneath the level or" said cables, said resilient means being of sufiicient length, and the spacing between said cables and belt being suflicient to permit lateral flexing of said resilient means relative to both said cables and said belt and including pulleys between said sheaves supporting said cables at the ends of the conveyor about which said belt may extend.

ReiereneesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 781,138

When the weight ofthe belt and v 

